Loose-leaf binder.



W. S. PROUDFIT, JR. LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLICATION FILED JAN.17,1906.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. S. PROUDFIT, JR.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLIUATION FILED 51mm, 1906.

1,037,314, I Patented Sept. 3,1912;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-M 1 I i? 1/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOOSE-LEA! BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3,1912.

Application filed January 17, 1808. Serial No. 298,549.

To allwlzom it may concern.

Be it; known that I WILLIAM S. Pnotmrrr, J r., a-citizen of the lJ'nited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented anew and useful Loose-Leaf Binder, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to several details of I construction in a loose leaf'binder'and theob'ects of my improvements are first, to pros vide a leaf holding spring strip that may he flexed without kinking or breaking; second, to rovide a convenient method 0 securin sai strip to the covers of the binder; thir to adjust the binder to accommodate different numbers of leaves; fourth to conveniently lock and unlock the bin er: fifth, to provide a flexible, durable and cheap construction, and other objects to become apparent from the description to follow.

the leaf holding bands were made of metallic spring strips it has been learned that after considerable use thebands would sometimes become kinked at a point adjacent the binding edge; of the covers and break. To prevent such kinking, and breaking, I make each band of. a pluralit of plies or strips and curve theedges ,ob tle mg, an s;

covers between which the leafzhol rest. Heretofore, the'fixed ends of t-heleaf holding bands have 'been secured-to the. covers by rivets or screws and when it was desired to change or, replace the bands it took considerable time and trouble, both of which objectionable features are eliminated by my invention band is rovided arrange to fit over a short post or lug on the cover and the cover is provided witha loop or in s on either side of said post or log in- 81101 manner that the band, which naturally tends to be strai ht must be flexed by force in order to gett e post or lug to enter the perforation in. the band; and ,once the post isiin the erforation it ispreyented. from, leaving sai positionbv the natural, tendencyof the band. to: lie flat and. to-be withdrawn from theperforation the band must be flexed b force. =It isof course RP- parent, that it. t e leaf. holding, band; ispro vided with; a series of perforations ,longi each of the separate adjustable ends 0 the in which the. leaf holding with .a small perforationgleaf holding bands as has heretofore been ldone I secure the ends of all the bands to tan adjustablesliding bar. and have shown a set nut to clamp the same in place, although ;any other suitable fastening can be used Zwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

To describe my invention so that others :versed in the art to which it pertains can Iunderstand it sufiiciently to enable them to make and use the same, I have illustrated it on the accompanying sheet of drawing .forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1, is a lan of the binder open with the leaves all removed; Fig. 2, is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 ;ofIi 1; Fig. 3, is a perspective view of a glea f. olding band fastenin Fi 4, is a I perspective view of a leat holding band From experience with binders in which rokeaaway for the purpose of illustrating, and Fi 5, is a sectional view taken on line :5-5 0 Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throu bout the several views. The 'covers 6 an 7 are of any desirable material and are connected by the leaf holding bands 8 which are each composed preferably of two or more flatspring strips as sequin-Figs. 2and4, although.they may be composed of a single member, I prefer to make ,these. bands of thin spring steel 'althou hany other resilient material may be use The spring bandsare attached to the covers in such a'manner that the atlwhed-ends swing with thecofvers and throw the, centralyor leaf bcarinig portion-of the bandsinto a curve towar .t e back of the book when the covers are closed and in an oppositedirection when the covers are opened. By the use of such resilient bands Iobtain a more si htly book and one in which,v the leaves wil not sagfrom top to bottom.

The covers 6 and '1 have the metal plates 9 and,.10 rivoted.,pr otherwise secured near theimbindingied' es, which have riveted or otherwise fiecure .to their bindin edges the plates or, yokes ,11, which are nt away fromthe p atetowhich they are secured to 'form s ace therebetween for the free assagep ftheileat holding hands. 8. The cat ho ding bands 8 ass free] between the plates 1 and the p ates 9 am 10 which construction serve as a guide for said hands. As a further guide for the bands 8 on cover 6 the tongues or-lugs 12 are pressed up out of plate 9-h1gh enough to permit the free passage of a band 8 underneath the same. Between the lugs 12 and their coiiperating plates 11 extending up a short distance from the plate 9 are the ins or In 13 which are preferably made inte ral with the plate 9 and arran ed to extend into perforations 14' a plurality of which are provided in each band 8.

The bands 8 normally lie in a flat plane and the free ends of the lugs 13are not in line with the spaces between plates 11 and 9 and the spaces between plates 11 and 10, so that the bands 8 must be bent out of their normal position to have the lugs 13 enter the perforations 14, and when once the lugs 13 are in the perforations 14 they remain 111 said position until the bands 8 are flexed by manual force. The perforations 14 are made considerably larger longitudinally of the bands 8 than are the lugs 13 so that the bands can shift freely for some distance longitudinally.

The several plies constituting the band 8 are preferably not rigidly attached to each other, being held in osition by the loops in the covers under w ich the band passes. When the band is flexed in any direction the several plies hug'each other'closely and adjust themselves on each other to the change of position.

I find that a band composed of several plies not rigidly attached to each other is much less apt to kink or break throu h' constant flexing and is much more pliab e than, a band of e ual weight composed of one strip. This a lows the use of a heavier and stronger band-than =isractical when a single spring stripis'use "T An extension 15 is-provided on plate-'10 on which is fitted tos ide a flatbar" 16 by havin the flanges 17'bent on the extension 18 an extendi%over the" arallel 'ed a of extension 15. e'bar 16 as secure to it the ends of the bands 8, so'thatb'y shifting the bar 16 back and forth'on the plate 10- the bands '8 are moved longitudinally through the space between-plates 11 and 9' and the intermediate portions of said band's between the covers '6 and 7 are lengthened and shortened. As the bar 16 and the cover 7 slide freely on each other the intermediate portion of the b'ands8 lying b'etweew the,

covers 6 and 7 may 'alsd ngthened byf' sliding the cover 7 back "froin'the'leafbody along the bands 8, when the" leaves-maybe se ara'ted at any desired point andlleaves a dedor removed. 'The leavesare then re-.

bound by sliding the icevef T57;a1ong the bands 8 against the leaves ,aiid-iliickingfin this position in -.the it "nor ghe'reiii aft'er' showniifi' 'f bolt 20 extends through slot 19 and through a hole rovided therefor in bar 16. The end of olt 20 extending beyond bar 16 is threaded and a nut 21 provided with a handle is fitted thereon. The head of bolt 20 is lar e enough to prevent it passing through ot 19 and a portion of the same is squared and fits into said slot 19 to prevent it from turning when the nut 21 is adjusted. When nut 21 is turned loose bar 16 is free to be moved and when nut 21 is tightened the parts are clamped together and hold bar 16 against movement.

To detachably secure the ends of the bands 8 to the bar 16', the tongues or lugs 22 are punched up from the bar 16 so as to leave s aces between the lugs 22 and the body 0 bar 16 large enough to permit the free passage of the bands 8 therethrough, and the lugs 22 are so arranged that the bands 8 when slipped through said spaces will lie fiat against the face of the bar 16 when in their normal osition. The bands 8 are liable andcan flexed upward as viewe in Fig. 2 by slight manual force so as to bring the pin or lug 23 extending from the face of bar 16 into the perforation 24-provided in band 8. It will be seen that It will be'understood that the lugs 12 and 22 need not necessarily extend all the wav acrossthe bands 8 as shown to accomplish their desired purggse; and other slight modifications may made without departin "from thespirit of the invention.

1 prefer. to use a lug or loopon each side of-t e lug-13to hol the band 8 in place more securely when adjusted through the erforations 14; however but one loop or ug maybe employed to hold the band 8 in place-when ad usted to the lug 18, as for instance the-lug 12 on cover 6 may be dispensedwith" the yoke 11 keeping the band 8 in place w en it is adjusted to the lug 13.

By increasing the number of perforations 14' or 24 at either end of the band 8 the band may'be adjusted on either cover to increase or decrease the intermediate portion ofthe band lying between the covers.

The band-8 may be secured to the bar 16 by theus'e' of only one lug 22 and the lug 23 which'would somewhat sim lify the con- 'struction and the operation of attaching and detaching the band 8 from the bar 16.

In opening and closing the covers of the binder the greatest tendency to make a kink cover or plates 9 and 10, 2'. e. at the extremiv I ties of the intermediate portion of the To'secure'the bar16in anyfde'sired jposig; tion" a slot "19is prov1ded"'in "-plate' 10; thebitlldsj and to revent the bands from being bent too acute y at this point the plates 11,

9 and 10 have at 25, strips 29 provi ed which the bands 8 pass freely are provided to rest between the edges of the plates 9 and 10 and the leaves of the binder.

To give a more finished appearance to the binder and to hide the metallic parts the lid 26 may be hinged at 27 to the cover and have its free end sprung under the extending lips 28 provided therefor on the plates 11.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1s' 1. In a book binding, a leaf holding strip comprising a plurality of laterally resilient members arranged to flex in unison.

2. A leaf holding strip consisting of a plurality of laterally resilient flat springs laid together so that they may be flexed in unison.

3. In a binder, a cover and leaf holding strips each comprising a plurality of laterally resilient members arranged to flex in unison having their ends secured to said cover.

4. In a binder, a cover and leaf holding strips each comprising a plurality of later ally resilientmembers arranged to ties in unison having their ends detachably secured to said cover. a

5. In a binder, a cover and leaf holding strips each comprising a plurality of laterally resilient members arranged to flex in unison adjustably secured to said cover.

6. In a binder, a cover and leaf holding their edges curved as shown for the bands to bend over. Binding strips each comprising a plurality of laterally resilient members arranged to flex in unison detachably secured to an adjusting means on said cover.

7. In a binder, a cover and leaf holding strips each comprising a plurality of members arranged to flex in unison detachably secured to a bar adjust-ably mounted on said cover.

8. In a binder, two covers and leaf holding strips, each comprising a plurality of laterally resilient members arranged to flex in unison detachably secured to both covers.

9. In a binder, twocovers and laterally resilient leaf holding strips oaeh comprising a plurality of members lying together arranged to flex in unison adjustably secured to both covers.

10. In a binder, two covers and laterally resilient leaf holding strips each comprising a plurality of members lying together arranged to flex in unison detachably secured to one cover and detachably secured to an adjusting means on the other cover.

11. In a bimlcr, a cover, a laterally re-' silient leaf holding strip amtmeans for detachanly securing said strip to said cover comprising stationary lugs on said cover with slots 30 throughl arranged out of line with relation to the plane in which said strip is, so that the tendency of said strip to lie in a straight line will retain its attachment to said lugs.

12. In a binder, a cover, a laterally resilient leaf holding strip provided with a perforation, and 2. lug on said cover arranged to enter and be retained in said perforation by the tendency of said strip to lie in a straight line. i

13. In a binder, a cover, a laterally resilient leaf holding strip provided with a perforation, and a plurality of lugs on said cover terminating alternately outside of the plane in which said strip normally tends to lie, one of said lugs being arranged to enter and be retained in said perforation.

14;. In a-binder, a cover, a bar adjustably mounted on said cover, laterally resilient leaf holding strips secured to said bar to have their ends lie adjacent to and swing with said cover so the portion of said strips extending away from said cover will be flexed backward and forward as the cover is closed and opened and means for securing said bar in position on said cover, com prising a threaded bolt and nut arranged to exert pressure on. said bar.

15. In a binder, a cover, a laterally resilientleaf holding strip and means for detachably and adjustably securing said strip to said cover comprising a plurality of perforations in said strip and a lug on said cove arranged to enter any one of said perforations and be retained in the same by the tendency of said strip to lie in a straight line.

16. In a binder, a fiat-spring leaf holding strip, a cover, a metal plate forming the binding edge of said cover, a second plate secured to said first named plate bent to form a space between said two plates for the free passage of said leaf holding strip and the binding edge of said second named plate bent in a curve away from said first named plate.

17. In a binder, a cover, leaf holding strips, mechanism for adjnstably securing said strips to said cover mounted on the cover, a lid'hinged to said cover to cover said mechanism and stationary overhanging lugs on said cover under which the free end of. said lid is removably secured.

18. In a binder, a flat spring leaf holding strip, a cover, a metal plate forming the binding edge of said cover, mechanism for adjustably securing said strip to said cover mounted on the cover, a lid hinged to said cover remote from the binding edge to cover said mechanism, a second plate secured to said first named .plate bent to form space between said two plates for the free passage oi said leaf holding strip, the binding edge of said second named plate bent in a curve away from said firs't'named plate and the remaining edge of said second named plate provided with an overhan ing lip under which the free end of said lld is removably secured.

19. In a binder, a suitable connectin member for the leaf holding strips, lea holding strips each having one end connected to said member and the other end extending free away from said member, a cover along which the leaf holding strips lie arranged to freely slide on said extension of the leaf holding strips toward and away from said member, and means com rising a bar carried by and connecting the rec ends of the leaf holding strips, mounted on said cover and means carried by the bar for securing the'bar in any position, whereby said cover can be secured to said leaf holding strips in any desired posit-ion.

20.- Ina binder, two disconnected covers, laterally resilient leaf holdin strips adjustably secured to said covers and means whereby one of said covers can slide alorfi on said strips toward and away from e other cover.

21. In a binder, a cover, a laterally resilient leaf holding strip and means for detachably and a'dJustably securin said strip to said crucr, comprising a plura ity of per forations in said strip, a lug on the cover arranged to extend into one of said perforations and a tongue on said cover free from said lug to normally hold the strip below the plane of the free end of said lug.

22. In a binder, a cover, a resilient leaf holding strip and an intermediate member adjustably secured to said strip and adjustably secured to said cover, said cover arranged to slide on said leaf holding strip.

23. In a binder, a cover, a'bar slidably mounted on said cover, laterally resilient leaf holding strips adjustably secured to said bar and means'whereby thecover can slide along on said strips.

' 24. In a binder, a cover, a bar slidably mounted on said cover laterally resilient leaf holding strips adjustably secured to said bar, means whereby the cover can slide along. on said strips and means for locking said cover to said bar in any desired position."

'25. In a book binding, a leaf holding stri consisting of a plurality of laterally resilient members laid together and arranged to flex in unison and to adjust themselves longitudinally upon each other when so flexed.

26. In a book binding, a cover, a leaf hold 7 ing strip comprising a plurality of members laid together attached to have its end swing with said cover, each of said members provided with a perforation arranged so that the perforations the several members will r r when the membem are laid together.

. In a binder, a cover, a leaf holding strip comprising a lurality of laterally re silient members laid together extendin out at right angles to the binding edge of sic cover, and arranged to flex in unison, each of said members having perforations arranged so that the perforations in the several members will register.

28 In a binder, a cover, a resilient leaf holding strip provided with a perforation, a lug rigidly secured on said cover arranged to extend through the perforation in said strip and a second lug rigidly secured on said cover extending over said stri near said first named lug to removably liolil said strip below the plane of the free end of said first named lug. V

29. In a binder, a cover, a bar adjustably mounted on said cover, a leaf lioldin strip provided with a perforation adjusta ly secured to said bar and means for securing said strip to said bar comprising :1 lug on the bar to extend through the perforation and a retaining tongue positioned to hold said strip below the plane of the free end of said In 30. 1% a binder, two covers, a bar ad'ustabl mounted on one of said covers, res' ient lea holding stri s bridging the space between the covers aving one'end secured to said bar on one cover and their other end secured to the other cover in such manner that the opening and closing of the covers will flex the intermediate portion of said SilllES lying between the covers forward and bac ward and means for locking said bar in its adjusted position, com rising a guide piece rovided with a slot sli ably connected to sai bar and a threaded bolt and nut.

31. In a binder, two covers, a bar adjust ably mounted on one of said covers laterally resilient leaf holding strips bridging the space between the covers i. .vin one end secured to one of said covers and their other end secured to said bar on the other cover in such manner that the ends of said stri s will lie adjacent to and swing with said covers and flex the intermediate portion of said strips between the covers backward and forward when the covers are closed and opened and means for locking said bar in its adjusted position, by compressing it against the cover upon which it is mounted.

32. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of two covers, a bar adj ustably mounted on one of said covers, laterally resilient leaf holding strips adjustably secured to one of said covers and detachably secured to said bar on the other of said covers and means for locking said bar in its adjusted osition.

33. In a loose leaf binder the com ination of two covers, a bar adjustably mounted on one of said covers, laterally resilient leaf holding strips (letaciiably secured to one of said covers and adjustably secured to said bar on the other of said covers and means p justably mounted on one of said covers guided to be moved toward and away from the binding edge of said cover, resilient leaf holding strips having one end attached to said bar and guided to run along said cover,

over the binding edge thereof, to the binding edge of and along the other of said covers to which they are attached, the ends of said strips arranged to swing with said covers' and to flex the intermediate portion thereof lying bet-ween the covers and means for moving said bar back and forth and locking it in an desired position.

35. In a bin er, a cover, leaf holding -strips each having one end connected to said cover and the other end extending" free away from said cover, a second cover along on which the leaf holding strips lie arranged to freely slide on said. extensions of the leaf holding strips toward and away from said first named cover and means whereby said second named cover can be secured to said leaf holding strips in any desired position comprising a cross bar connecting the free ends of said leaf holding strips and a bar on which said cross bar is slidably mounted, secured to said second named cover.

36. In a binder, the combination with the covers, of leaf holding strips, of a cross bar to which said strips are secured arranged to be adjusted in one of said covers and clamping means to be clamped against and released from the bar for securing said bar in its adjusted position so that said cross bar may be moved freely in said cover when the clamping means is in a released position.

37. In a binder, a cover, leaf holding strips, each having one end connected to said cover and the other end extending free away from said cover, a second cover along on which the leaf holding strips lie arranged to freely slide on said extension of the leaf holding strips toward and away from said first named cover and means comprising a bar connecting and carried by the free ends of the leaf holding strips, mountedto slide freely on said second named cover, and means carried by "the bar for securing the bar in any position whereby said second named cover can be secured to said leaf holding strips in any desired position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses this 10th day of Jan-.

nary 1906 at Chicago, Illinois.

WILLIAM S; PROUDFIT, JR.

IVitnesses:

James M. Pnounrrr, R. J. JACKER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. 0." 

